RACING REVIEWED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 203, 14 June 1894, Page 4

RACING REVIEWED.

[By

Borderer.]

Postponed meetings do not as a rule meet with marked success, and I am afraid the Auckland Racing Club authorities placed their Winter Meeting in that postition when they postponed it. lam very certain that the turf would not have been in the condition last Wednesday that was the case on Saturday. It was ss sodden as a hopless inebriate, and in the jumping events the take off was simply frightful. It was that and nothing else that lost Parnell the Selling Steeplechase. The jump on the crest of the hill was rendered fearfully difficult of negotiation through the rain making the bank of the ditch in front of it as crumbly as a Victorian boom company, and the attendance for a Saturday was decidedly poor. However, all the moralising in the world will not affect the result of the postponement, and it only remains to be said that as respects the management of the first day of the postponed meeting the A.R.C. are entitled to all praise. Mr Percival looked after the details of the meeting with ability, and the judging was beyond question. The stewards were not called to exercise their powers, but I think in one or two cases they had good openings for considering the actions of certain horses. One or two things stuck out like the proverbial foot, but the stewards took no official cognisance of them, so nothing more need be said. In the matter of starting Mr Edwards was only fairly successful, and in one race there was a conspicuous gap between the first and the last horse to leave the mark.

The visitors may be said to have had the best of the gathering, for they took the cream of the meeting and left us the skim milk. But I think they rather miscalculated the Pony Hurdle Race, and although a visiting horse won it, backers from afar did not profit by the win. The question who would win the Grand National was of course the burning question of the hour, and backers would appear to have arrived at a satisfactory solution, gauging by the dividend paid on the winner. We all knew Melinite had never publicly demonstrated her ability to get round a hurdle course, but when the money started to go on her by fivers and tenners backers who doubted her jumping abilities commenced to ponder. There was no fault to be found with her breeding, and as for condition, she looked a perfect racing machine. She stripped in beautiful form, and although there were deeper quartered animals to be seen, and Liberator’s splendidly compact body, one could not shut his eyes te the fine-looking rear Melinite possesses. The jumping power was evident enough, and the only question that remained to be settled was whether she was a willing jumper. The majority decided she was, so out she went first favourite. And splendidly did she repay the confidence of her backers, and an Auckland horse—poor old Belmonthad again to take second place. But the race she gave us made us feel graciously disposed towards the visitor.

Two races, the Maiden and Seiling Steeplechases, were sorry exhibitions, and it is a question whether such races should gain a position on the programme, when their inclusion means the appearance of

animals unfit to get round the course. In the Selling Steeplechase everyone was glad to see plucky little Platch get home, and do so carrying level weight with opponents that towered over him as regards size and appearance. In his work of late Chester has shown a dislike to jump, and this came out when his rider put him at the first wall. As for Parnell, he merely lost the race through his rider taking him too slowly at the hill jump. Had he been taken at it at the same pace which was the case when he was put a second time to it he would not have baulked, and Platch’s owner would not have had to buy his gallant little pony back. As for Chester he showed such a terrible dislike to jump that one can quite understand his nomination in a selling steeplechase. Platch’s win was very popular, for the pony has always raced so gallantly and so long without a win that even those who backed against him were not too sore at seeing Foul Play’s little son get past the post first. As for the other minor steeplechase, the Maiden, it was not worth looking at. Kildare ran off twice, Salute baulked, Kingite fell or disappeared somewhere as though swallowed up, and Malabar was left to plod round the course. And from the look of things if he had had anything to push him he would not have got round without a mistake. The race was a fearfully poor one, and as I said before, not worth looking at. They all carried 11.12, with the exception of Kildare, who carried 11.9, and Malabar won in 6min 35sec, and paid dividends of -£2 14s and Z*2 as.

Ben Godfrey did not start for the Winter Welter Handicap of sosovs, one mile, and St. Kilda was made a warm favourite. Backers recalled his form at Takapuna, and argued that 12.5 would not stop him. Cyrus was the next best fancied, and Scot Free, who on form should have been backed, was not. And his miserable running explained why he was not backed. Acacia went away with the lead, and St. Kilda, who was ridden by his trainer Adam Byers, was the next off the mark. Scot Free was last, and a miserably bad last at that. He was never in the race nor did he seem capable of running with 6.0 on his back. But it would take more than that welter race to believe that that is the true form of the Sterlingworth gelding. He didn’t like something and never showed a glimpse of his true power. St. Patrick made a good forward run by the cutting, but he was not class enough at welter weights. Rounding the bend leading to the straight, St. Kilda, who had all along been in a good position, moved into the straight and appeared to be winning easily. Byers made no move to hurry his animal, and Cyrus’s rider knowing that even the greatest and cleverest men make mistakes, raced after the leader in a very determined fashion. At the Derby Stand Byers was looking round and laughing, but Cyrus’s rider kept at it and wielding his whip with good effect, got close enough to show St. Kilda’s rider his laughter was not too much justified. If you can win by a lengh instead of a neck it is better and safer and shows more jockeyship than winning by a few inches while indulging in laughter at the second horse. A man may be an Archer and yet make a mistake in this respect. St. Kilda’s time for the mile was imin 55sec and the dividends were 15s and Z2 is.

And then came the question of the day. Who would win the Grand National ? Were we going to keep the honour in the province, or was a Southern horse again going to wrest it from us. The candidates all stripped in great form, and the chestnut daughter of Nordenfeldt —Pearl Ash was the centre of an admiring crowd. And certaily she is a pretty mare, and well built too, with the development that gives both jumping power and speed. Everyone knew what she could do on the flat, but the question remained about her fencing power; but she was soon to settle that point in a manner not calculated to please local backers. Liberator appeared to be very well, but the support he received on the machine was very indifferent. He can race better than was the case on Saturday—even with the crusher of 12.8. And respecting Fright, what can we say but that he showed up in a most disgraceful light; and remembering the hurdle race shown us by Newminster’s ugly son not so long ago at Ellerslie, his performance of Saturday last becomes most inexplicable. That was not true form that was shown us. He had a bump in the race, but whether that affected his chance I am not prepared to say. The start was a very poor one, and

Mr Edwards cannot be complimented on the way in which he let the field off for our second biggest winter race. Ika Vuka went away with the lead, and Skittles was next off, with Chatterbox a bad last. Skittles was going well, and it was soon evident the Kohimarama mare was not going to disgrace Stennings’ tuition. Coming into the straight for the first time Melinite was in the third position, and the way she was flying over the jumps soon showed there was no reason for doubting her fencing powers. Half way up the straight Fright caught Melinite and raced with her up the hill, when a bump took place, and Fright, our Auckland mainstay and hope, dropped out of the contest hopelessly. Before the stand was reached down went Belle, and Taranaki’s hope flickered and died. At the seven furlong post Skittles had beaten Ika Vuka, and Melinite was racing second and pulling double. Opposite the stand Skittles was battling as bravely as a lion, Melinite was fighting for her head, and old Belmont was reviving Auckland’s drooping hopes by stretching after the leader in a manner that showed he would give us as good a fight as he gave last year. At the Leger post he was racing like a Briton, but when Melinite entered the straight pulling double we all knew the Grand National had once again gone from us. A brave fight was given by Belmont up the straight, and Skittles raced as game as a pebble, but second and third places were the best honours destined for our horses. The time was 4-min losec. Last year Mutiny cantered home in lajsec.

The next item was the Selling Steeplechase of 60 sovs., about three miles, and with Crazy Kate scratched the field was reduced to a trio, Parnell, Chester and Platch, who met on even terms, viz., 9.7. Chester was looked upon as a certainty, but the fact that Southern Chief’s son had been baulking in recent work made a lot of money go on Parnell. And the knowing ones, taking into consideration the state of the take-offs, and knowing that Platch would show no baulking, put their money on the little Foul Play gelding-. And their money was on as gallant a little horse for his inches as we have here. To ask him to meet Parnell and Chester on level terms was a big order, but as events proved he got through with his task. When they were set going in front of the sod wall Chester baulked at the jump, and though persevered with a dozen times absolutely refused to make an effort to get over it. And even when Platch covered one round and came round to the sod wall again he would not make the slightest attempt to lift himself. Opposite the stand for the first time Parnell led Platch over the brushed hurdle and the little gelding’s rider came out of the saddle and dashed the hopes of the pony’s backers. But Tozer was up again in a twinkling and had the pony going before Parnell was half way through the plantation. At this stage, however, it looked 100 to 1 about Parnell, but the unexpected generally happens, and Parnell baulked at the hill jump, and little Platch clearing it safely went to the front and was never caught. Old Chester all this time was refusing the sod wall. Parnell cleared the hill obstacle on the second attempt, but the start gained by Platch was too much, and the pony scored an easy win. Time, 8.5. Dividends, £3 16s and £4 ss.

All the eight acceptors for the Maiden Hurdle Race of 6osovs, one mile and three-quarters, carried silk, and the Coast hack Cyrus was made a very hot favourite. Kildare went off with the lead, followed by Bonanza and Viceroy, and the hurdle in the straight was first topped by Kildare, then Viceroy, after whom came St. Michael. At the mile post Warrior made a forward run, and Adventurer was carried well behind him. At the seven furlong post Kildare, Warrior, and Adventurer were in the leading positions, and then eyes were all directed at Cyrus, who, coming out of the ruck, made a splendid run and cut down the rear contingent one by one. The backers of the favourite shrieked with joy, and at the pace he was going it was thought nothing could live with him once the head of the straight was reached. But Warrior kept steadily at it, and his backers knew if he entered the straight on terms with the leaders his pace would carry him home. And so it proved. Cyrus caught him at the head of the straight, but the Ingomar horse’s pace came out. Kildare fought out the finish up the straight, but Warrior had the pace and won by a length, the favourite being third a couple of lengths behind Kildare. Time, jmin 4jsec.

Dividends, and £$ is. The last race of the day. the Pony Hurdles, was won by Kathleen after Little Tom had beaten MotherShipton. But until the latter was beaten Kathleen never showed up very dangerously. Time, 3mm xysec. Dividends, 2s and £7 2s. Phis ended the first day’s racing.

Fine weather was given us for the second day of the meeting, but being held on a Monday there was nothing very startling in the way of attendance. A good drying wind was blowing the day before, so the going was not quite so bad as was the case on the first day of the gathering. The totalisators were the reverse of perfect, the machine in the paddock showing an exasperating tendency to become disarranged in the matter of registering the totals. This was unfortunate, for the ever suspicious public found a peg in that direction to hint unpleasant things upon about the dividends declared. The insinuations no doubt were perfectly foundationless, but it is a matter for regret that the opportunity should have been given for the raising of a slightest doubt. The starting was again none too successful, and in the last race, the Welter, the winner was given an advantage of some half a dozen lengths. In the principal race, the Great Northern Steeplechase, we were able to keep the cup of victory from the lips of the visitors thanks to Bombardier, but in the Handicap Hurdles, Maiden Hurdles, and Pony Hurdles they fairly romped over us with Liberator, Cyrus, and Kathleen. Our horses had not a chance with that trit), and the way Liberator cut down our Belmont when he apparently had the race at his mercy with a lead of twenty lengths was particularly exasperating. Mr Butler’s success was well shared by the public, who apparently declined to judge the Betrayer gelding’s power by his display in the Grand National, for although Belmont and Skittles hopelessly beat him in that race, the investors would not stand either of them on Monday, but sent out Liberator a very hot favourite. They argued that the expenses of his trip from the South had to be paid, and that ioosovs was quite enough to send him out in a winning frame of mind. And they were right. Jack Rae rode a well-judged race on him and watching the leaders through the cutting, set him going at the right moment, and cut them down in the run up the straight as though they were standing still. The cross-country race provided splendid sport, all the competitors putting forth splendid efforts to score. No one was sorry to see the Messrs Duders score with Bombardier, for they have persevered with him pluckily enough. And a great race the Brigadier gelding gave the spectators. Game little Fishmonger went well until the jump on the hill triped him and pitched him on his head. But there was no doubt a game horse won the race, and as I said before, no one grudged the Duder Bros, their victory.

The day’s racing was commenced with the Maiden Handicap Hurdle Race of 6osovs, one mile and a half, for which Otakeho was the only scratching. The top weight Cyrus was of course made a favourite, and certainly the Volunteer gelding looked rather too good for his field. He was in the best of fettle, and as Percy Johnston was on his back there was no likelihood of any mistakes being made in his piloting. Kildare had a good following, but when the totalisator bell stopped, Cyrus’ support made the other investments pale into insignificance. When the flag dropped Kildare took the lead, followed by Cyrus. When they passed the post the first time the favourite was lying last, but going up the rise Johnston sent him along and improved his position, and Bonanza took last place. Opposite the stand Cyrus was sent along at a rattling pace, which soon put him in third place, and it was only the splendid way Kildare was jumping that enabled him to lead the field through the cutting. He gained very much on his jumps, but at the second last obstacle he had the bad luck to blunder, and Cyrus’s rider seizing the opportunity sent his horse along at top, and passing Kildare led into the straight. St. Michael was close behind him, and in the run up the straight fought out the finish with Cyrus who, however, managed to keep his neck in front and passed the post with that advantage in his favour. Derry was third, and Kildare finished behind him. The time was 3mm I3sec, and the dividends £1 19s and £2.

The eight ponies engaged in the Pony Handicap Hurdles of sosovs, one mile

and a half, faced the starter, and the winner of the Hurdles on Saturday, Kathleen, was made a very warm favourite. Little Tom had a good following, and a big rush on Storyteller just prior to the start made her chance look a good one. The start took place in front of the Derby stand, and the first hurdle was very close to the line. So close indeed that a baulk or a fall was regarde I a very likely contingency. They all cleared it in safety however, and passing the p >st the grey mare Zulu Maid was leading, while poor old Platch, with his crushing burden of 12.6, was last. And speaking of Platch I would like to know what justification the handicapper had for putting such a weight on him. Because Platch, with 9.7, on his back, wins a selling steeplechase (contested by three, two of whom refuse to jump) Mr Evett considers he is fast enough to meet such hurdlers as Little Tom and Kathleen over the sticks and concede weight to them. On Monday he was giving Kathleen iglbs! What sort of a chance had he or what excuse can a man offer for treating the pony in such a fashion. Had Platch been meeting them over steeplechase country well and good, but over the hurdles —the impost was a most unjust one. Rounding the bend leading to the back of the straight Kathleen was leading with Mother Shipton, and Storyteller was having her head reefed off. No doubt the mare required a steadying pull before negotiating each fence, but her rider held her between the hurdles and completely extinguished whatever chance she had of scoring. When the cutting was passed it was seen Kathleen had them at her mercy, and flying the last hurdle like a bird she led into the straight by lengths and won in a canter. Ramrod was second and Little Tom third. Had Storyteller not been so badly ridden Kathleen would have had to fight hard for a win. Duff, on Storyteller, took far too much out of the mare during the first half of the race by holding her too hard and when the straight was reached he had to ride her. The time was 2min 4&secand the dividends 4s and 14s. And now came the attraction of the Auckland winter season, the Great Northern Steeplechase of 400S0VS, about three miles and a half, and when the board went up with the starters it was seen that Flukem had gone out in favour of Despised. Shillelagh was out; and Mr J. B. Williamson was represented by Salute ; and that Union Jack, Malabar, and Adventurer were also three whose names had been operated on by the scratching pen. The field was as follows : —Despised 12.3, Crazy Kate 10.2, Bombardier 10.0, Chester 10.0, Potentate 9.12, Scaltheen 9.11, Fishmonger 9.9, Cingalee 9.9, and Salute 9.7. Despised was made favourite, and Bombardier received very liberal support, while Scaltheen was the next public fancy. When the starter sent them off on their journey Fishmonger, Despised, and Salute went away in advance of the others, and Salute was the first to show the way over the hurdle. Fishmonger was second, and Potentate ran into third place. Bombardier was next and Crazy Kate was last. Through the trees Salute held pride of place, and Scaltheen was six lengths behind, and after the top hill fence was passed Salute was followed by Fishmonger, after whom came Scaltheen. Potentate was fourth, Bombardier fifth, Cingalee sixth, and Despised and Crazy Kate were running to--gether last. The sod wall was first crossed by Fishmonger, and then came Salute, Scaltheen and Potentate. The water jump saw Fishmonger still in the lead, and Salute blundering nearly unseated his rider, and allowed Scaltheen to take second position. Cingalee stopped at the water, and a few changes took place at the old water resulting in Potentate leading opposite the stand, with Scaltheen second, Fishmonger third, and Despised about fifth. Entering the trees Scaltheen, Potentate and Fishmonger were close together, and on emerging from the plantation Scaltheen in the lead was being rushed by Potentate, after whom came Fishmonger. Going down the hill Scaltheen and Fishmonger had to chase Potentate, and at the sod wall Fishmonger blundered and nearly unseated McKinnon, who, however, stuck to his mount and soon had him going again. Potentate led over the double, closely followed by Fishmonger, and when the stone wall was reached Fishmonger was again at the head of affairs. Crazy Kate had shifted up third, and Bombardier was close on her quarters. Up the hill Bombardier took second place and pressed Fishmonger, who was in the van, and Potentate and Crazy Kate ran third and fourth

while last year’s winner, Despised, wasi lengths away and hopelessly out of it. At the post and rails Crazy Kate took* command, Fishmonger had the bad luck; to* come down while going well, and Bombardier shot after Crazy Kate. She; led him by four lengths until the stone wall was reached, and then Bombardier i was only two lengths behind and full of; fight. Then Morrigan rode Bombardier, and the Brigadier gelding responding, cut Crazy Kate down before the head of; the straight was reached and running free i won easily by fiv,e lengths. The second i horse, Crazy Kate, led Potentate by eight < or ten lengths. The time was qmin zsec which considering, the state of the going ■ was very fair time. Last year. Despised ! covered the slushy course in. 9mm 5 B£sec. When Shillelagh won in 1892 carrying only Ilb more than Bombardier the distance was covered in Bmin 44-sec, and in 1890 Jenny at level weights with, Bomhardier won in Smin. 5 ssec. So far, Shillelagh’s time, Bmin 44sec, which was equalled in 1888 by Allegro, is the fastest recorded! for the Great Northern.

With, the big event-out- of the way, the card was clear for the Hurdles of roosovs, one.mile and three-quarters. With Melw nite out. of the race Belmont and 'Skittles looked.gpod but the public hadLiberator. firmly : im mind, and* when the flag fell -thesmachine told a. very different tale to that told in, the Grand National. Then 34. people in- the paddock and 27 outside backed Liberator; on Monday 147 declared for, him inside and. 167 outside. A very big difference indeed. Belmont was the second favourite, but the support given, to the;. Betrayer gelding completely overshadowed everything.else. As for- the race it showed Liberator to bea. wonder Such a winning run as he made is seldom seen at Ellerslie. Pansy took; the lead at the start, and Skittles and Belmont were- the next to move, Liberator being-lastto start and evidently in no hurry to close with them. Passing, the Derby Stand Skittles was in command, Belmont was second, Pansy-third,! Ika Vuka. fourth, and Liberator still taking it easy, lengths away last. At the back-of the course Belmont settled the pretensions of Ika Vuka and Skittles, and led into the, cutting by twenty lengths* Fright was being ridden hard,, and went after the leader, but it looked 100 to 1 on Belmont when the top of the course was reached. Rae was at work on Liberator a good twenty lengths in the rear, and the case looked hopeless for the top weight, but he suddenly came like a shot out of a gun and cut after the leaders at a terrible pace. Still it looked any odds on Belmont, but there was a Dunedin Cup winner behind him, and the last hurdle saw Belmont fully out and tiring fast. Liberator dashed into the straight and taking the centre of the course flashed along at a pace which made Fright and Belmont appear to be standing still. Even then the run appeared, too late, but it was not, and by the time the lawn rails were reached he had caught Belmont, and drawing away won easily by,two lengths. There was considerable excitement over the win, and. certainly the run -made by Liberator was. an eye op.ener, and showed us what .sort of a mare Melinite must be when the Liberator people were afraid, of her and pretty well knew, they could not cope with her. Fright was four lengths away third. The time was 3mm 35sec, and the dividends / 2 6s and £1 15s.

The Tallyho Handicap Steeplechase of ioosovs, about three miles, was the nextitem, and Malabar was the one scratching in a field of seven. The starters were Belle 11.5, Scaltheen n.o, Fishmonger 10.12, Potentate 10.11, Cingalee io. 10, and Adventurer 9.7. Belle was reckoned, a certainty, and so the money, went on. her as fast as the officials at the totalisator could take. it.. Potentate, and Fishmonger were-about, on. level terms in. public esteem. Adventurer was first away, and Belle and Potentate raced after him. Adventurer led over the water. Belle and Potentate following, while Fishmonger blundered and threw McKinnon, and was thus early out of the race* McKinnon lay where he fell, and was carried into the jockeys’ room in an un* conscious state, but,, there . was nothing; serious the matter with him and he soon ram ©round* Coleman came a cropper on Scaltheen ; and had his collarbone broken, and .of course the complimentary doctors had no bandages or appliances when they were asked to attend to the injured .mem. That’s what the medicos obtain complimentary tickets for.’ The rest of the-race-: is easily described. Belle, led all the way, , and leading Potentate by lengths, down tlifeW for thfe last time her victory looked.

a certainty, but-she had the misfortune to come down at the stone wall and gave the race to Potentate. Adventurer was the only other horse to finish.

Owing to a breakage to the inside totalisator the start for the last race was; delayed until the moon was high in theheavens and the block, on the outside machine, consequent on the rush of investors from.the lawn, .made the task of obtaining a ticket anything but pleasant, the result and the betting on this race brings into light the marvellous luckwhich often follows the public. On form there was nothing in the race, but: St. Kilda yet St. Patrick, in a field of! fifteeni.was made a favourite, and as the result proved, he won in a canter. Now where the public got the idea that the race was a certainty for him goodness only knows. His stable only thought theirchance a fairly good one and that with some luck he might get home.. But they never thought for a moment that the race was a.gift for him. Yet the public did. Owing to Smith’s cleverness in getting off and a wretched start which gave St. Patrick a six length advantage of everything, else the race proved a gift for him, but had he not got the big start its a certainty the second horse, St. Kilda, would have beaten him and upset the pnblic idea about St. Patrick being such a good thing. But their luck struck to them and by two lucky circumstances St. Patrick justified the position of' favouritism in ;which he was placed. But the fact remains that his win was pure luck* Stamford was third. The time was imin 4psec and the dividends £4. 2s. and £3 4s. The winning jockeys during, the meeting were Johnston 3 wins, Henwood 2 wins, and McLellan, Byers, Hickey, Tozer, Morrigan, Rae,’ and Smith one win each. St. Leger and The Dauphin were at the head of the sires with two wins each, and Billingsgate, Nordenfeldt, Foul Play, Ingomar, Volunteer, - Brigardier, Betrayer, and Penrose sired a winner a piece.